New South Wales Parliament.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 217, 18 January 1894, Page 2

New South Wales Parliament.

A DISGRACEFUL SCENE. A MINISTER CHARGED WITH BEING DRUNK. (PEB PBBSB ASSOCIATION.) Sydnkv, January 17Mr G. H. Reid, Leader of tlie Opposition, moved an amendment to the Acldress-in-Rej>ly, generally condemning the Government for proroguing Parliament a at critical time. Sir G. 11. Dibbs, Premier, said that if Mr Reid's action were endorsed, it would plunge the country into chaos. Mr H. Copeland, Minister for Lands, proceeded to address the House, and Mr J. Hiudle, rising to a point of order, asked the Speaker whether it was com-, peteut for a member to address the House while in a state of intoxication. A most discreditable scene followed. Mr Copeland, who was greatly excited, threatened to " wring that d scoundrel's neck," but was prevented by other members from walking across to Mr Hiudle. The galleries were cleared, and Mr Copeland was ordered from the Chamber j during the remainder of the sitting, but it was decided not to proceed with business, and the House adjourned almost immediately. This Day. After the House adjourned last night, Mr Copeland, who had caused tlie scene in the Chamber, loitered about waiting for Mr Hiudle, who wisely departed by the back eutrance. The scene was an extremely painful one. Here was a Minister of the Crown, dressed in a short white duck coat, without a vest, hatless, and with his collar and tie awry, standing in front of the main entrance to the House with a laughing and jeering crowd near him, a member of the crowd occasionally remarking to the police to lock him up, and saying — " If he was a poor man you would have done so." Sir G. R. Dibbs and Mr Sutton vainly endeavoured to get Copeland within the precincts of the House, but a general movement of the crowd hustled the whole party into the House.